Beacon Rock
Constructed summit trail
Washington State Parks lists Tuesday–Thursday trail closures October 1 through May 31, 2027 for construction. This is a recurring weekly restriction, not an all-week closure.
Checked 2026-10-23 · Washington State Parks ↗The Route
A constructed switchback trail wraps around Beacon Rock’s basalt walls to its summit.
- Highway TrailheadSouth side of SR 14
- Basalt BaseGravel approach
- Rock-Face SwitchbacksBoardwalks and handrails
- SummitSame-trail return
Base & Lower Trail
The hiking trail starts at the developed parking area south of SR 14. A gravel path climbs past moss-covered boulders before wrapping onto the rock's south side. Beacon Rock is an exposed basalt volcanic core, rather than a forested mountain with a separate alpine approach.
Switchbacks & Summit
Constructed switchbacks, boardwalk sections and handrails climb the rock face, alternating between trees and open Columbia River views. The summit overlooks the river toward Bonneville Dam. The return uses the same constructed trail; the nearby Riddell Lake path is a separate outing, not part of the summit route.
Terrain Along the Route
The ascent uses exposed rock-side switchbacks, boardwalks and handrails.
Approximate guide figures for the named route and endpoint, not a current measured track. Reference Set: 2026-10-23.
Weather
Current forecasts open at the providers below. NWS forecasts describe a terrain grid cell, not an exact summit.
Access
Beacon Rock Trailhead, Columbia River Gorge, WA
Access Notice · October 20, 2026
WTA’s October 20 source page lists a Tuesday–Thursday construction closure through spring 2027. Check the park’s current notice before choosing a date.
Route Choice
The Beacon Rock hiking trail, not a rock-climbing route or Hamilton Mountain.
Trailhead & Approach
The developed summit-trail parking is south of SR 14 at Beacon Rock State Park. It is separate from the Hamilton Mountain campground trailhead north of the highway.
Parking & Entry
A Discover Pass applies at the state-park trailhead. The recurring Tuesday–Thursday construction restriction applies to Beacon Rock Trail, not every trail in the park.
Source information checked 2026-10-23. Road snapshots are dated separately.
Reports
Recent Trip Reports
Open the route-specific WTA reports and compare the hiking date, endpoint and reported conditions.
Links open the publishers’ report pages. Reports are not automatically imported or filtered to a forecast date.